Coast Guard hosts World Maritime Day event

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard is scheduled to host the 2009 International Maritime Organization World Maritime Day parallel event, Friday at 62 Chelsea Piers, New York, to focus attention on the importance of shipping safety, maritime security and the marine environment.

“We are honored to host the 2009 International Maritime Organization World Maritime Day parallel event,” said Adm. Thad Allen, Commandant of the U.S Coast Guard. “The Parallel Event is an opportunity for the maritime community to come together with the public to celebrate the contributions of the maritime industry as well as discuss and promote ways in which we can address areas important to us all.”

Event highlights include a delegate conference, a green ship exhibition, student science fair and a reception.

“The Coast Guard is working diligently with the IMO and industry partners to examine opportunities to reduce our impact on the environment,” said Allen. “With a goal of creating a collaborative venue to discuss these issues and display current advances to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the parallel event will focus on how the maritime community is responding to our changing environment.”

Other ports throughout the United States are scheduled to host simultaneous events within their ports.